The number of new COVID-19 cases in the Philippine capital has risen in the past seven days, according to a report by independent group OCTA research.
“The average number of new daily COVID-19 cases in the [National Capital Region] increased by 27% to 813 for the period from July 15 to 21, from 638 the previous week,” the group said.
The group said the reproduction number of COVID-19 cases also rose to 1.15 from July 15 to 21, an increase from the 0.91 reproduction number over the past week.
“The trend in the reproduction over the past week shows a similar pattern with the trend from February 12 to 19, when the reproduction number increased from 1.06 to 1.30,” said the report.
“That period signified the start of the surge in the [National Capital Region],” it added.
The group said that while “it is not clear what is driving this increase in new cases without scientific basis, it is best to be cautious and prepared for a possible surge.”
The Health department, meanwhile, said on Thursday that it has detected 12 more local cases of the highly contagious Delta coronavirus variant, bringing the total to 47.
“All cases have been tagged as recovered but their outcomes are being validated by our regional and local health offices,” the Department of Health said in a statement.
Out of the 47 Delta cases, 36 have recovered, three have died, and eight remain active, said the report.
“The [Department of Health] reminds the public that as the government continually strengthens our healthcare capacity, the minimum public health standards and getting vaccinated when it is our turn are still the best defense against any variant,” read the statement.
Media reports also quoted the Philippine College of Physicians saying that hospitals have started to see a fresh uptick in the number of patients going to COVID-19 emergency rooms.
OCTA has urged authorities in the national capital to implement stricter quarantine status to prevent an “impending” case surge in the region.
“We cannot underestimate the COVID-19 uptick because of the possibility that it MAY be driven by Delta,” read the group’s statement.
On Thursday, July 22, the Health department recorded 5,828 new COVID-19 cases while there were 3,257 recoveries and 17 who died due to the disease.
The country has currently 50,562 active COVID-19 cases.
